Parent Perspective Mirna Gamino

Parent Perspective

The Black Canyon Boys & Girls Club (BCBGC) became the big 2-0 in 2019. To celebrate this momentous occasion, the Club has partnered with the Montrose Daily Press on a special project; to bring to the readers of the Press an article each week to highlight various aspects of the Club and show the impact it has had in Montrose & Olathe. The readers will get insight from current parents, former Club kids, current Club kids, past Club staff, and more. So join us each week as we show why “Great Futures Start Here!”

Mirna Gamino has been the parent of an Olathe Unit Club kid since 2016. As a single mother, she finds the Club to be a valuable tool in her son’s development. “I’m thankful for the existence of the Club. The activities help my son learn skills he wouldn’t learn otherwise, and the cost is a blessing. The staff at the Club has cared about my son’s physical and emotional wellbeing since the beginning.” It is the goal of Club to provide youth development activities for all kids regardless of socio-economic status. With the 2018-2019 school year tuition fee set at a $100 total, this provides every child the opportunity to attend from a fiscal perspective. Scholarships are also available for those who are only able to pay a portion of this fee.

Having grown up in Mexico, Mirna did not have access to attend a Club as it is an organization that functions only within the United States. However, she had family who attended a Club in another state, so when she moved to the area she was aware of what to search for in terms of afterschool programming. Her son’s favorite parts of Club are when they spend time on the computer and visiting the Colorow facility. As I mentioned in last week’s article, the Olathe Unit’s partnership with the Colorow facility is great way for the elders of Colorow and the youth of Club to foster relationships and learn from one another.

Mirna notes Club has helped to boost her son’s confidence and is helping to shape him for a positive future. Through Club he has garnered “confidence with speaking in public and expressing his opinions. He has learned how to use a microphone and been practicing his bilingual skills. All of this, I believe, is preparing him to be the best person he can be and, thanks to the Club and the wonderful staff, he is confident in his ability to achieve anything he sets his mind to”.

Now I know that not everything about the Club can be perfect; I am always looking for feedback about how to improve the Club’s experience for the kids. When asked if there would ever be a reason Mirna would consider taking her son out of Club she noted a concern all parents worry about; bullying. However, Mirna stated this has never been an issue at Club so she is glad to continue to send her son.

Thank you Mirna for letting me interview you about your Club experience as a parent. Behind all our wonderful Club kids are equally wonderful Club parents and your insight is appreciated. I hope your son continues to enjoy the Club experience into his teenage years and that he stays part of the Olathe Unit for a long time to come.

Bud Taylor is the Executive Director for the Black Canyon Boys & Girls Club (BCBGC) and had been for the past two years. Prior to that, he was a BCBGC kid, junior staff member, and board director. Feel free to contact Bud Taylor by e-mail at btaylor@bcbgc.org or visit the Club’s website for more information, www.bcbgc.org.